2026 Porsche Cayenne Electric sets British hill climb record
However, almost simultaneously, our spy photographers also captured the new SUV – the first battery-powered Cayenne, and the second electric Porsche SUV following the Macan Electric – almost completely undisguised both inside and out.
The new large electric SUV was spied undergoing final development testing near the performance car brand's Weissach R&D base in Germany.
As you can see from these spy pics, the pre-production prototype wears camouflage only around its lighting, plus a stickered-on grille and what appear to be decals showing dual daytime running lights.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Compared to the existing, third-generation large luxury SUV, the Cayenne EV will therefore feature narrower headlights flanking a narrow grille, a closed-off lower intake, and a slim rear light bar that wraps around the rear three-quarter panel.
Inside the fourth-generation Cayenne, there's a full-width digital screen that all but unites a driver's instrument cluster, central infotainment screen and a passenger-side multimedia display.
Overall, the exterior design of Porsche's new electric SUV, which will be followed by a larger dedicated-electric flagship SUV later this decade, makes it unmistakably a Cayenne. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
However, it's unclear whether the EV will be offered in both wagon and 'Coupe' form like its combustion-powered sister model.
The combustion Cayenne will continue to be available with V6, V8 and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, just as Porsche is developing a replacement for the petrol-powered Macan to be sold alongside the new electric Macan.
Porsche released no technical details about the Cayenne EV, other than promising it will be able to tow up to 3500kg and feature a new Active Ride system, but it's expected to make its world debut by the end of this year before its global release some time in 2026 – before the electric Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman, development of which appears to have been pushed back.
For the record, the 'near-production prototype' that made its public debut in England, part of a film production featuring Richard Hammond of Top Gear fame, set a new record in the hands of TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team development driver Gabriela Jílková. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Mr Hammond and Ms Jílková mingled with the crowd at the Shelsley Walsh hill climb – one of the world's oldest motorsport events, having been running since 1905 – before she drove the camouflaged Cayenne Electric up the asphalt track, which is only three and a half metres wide in places, has a steep gradient of up to 16.7 per cent, and is 1000 yards (914 metres) in length.
Ms Jílková beat the previous SUV record by more than four seconds in her first attempt.
'The course is challenging and does not forgive mistakes,' she said afterwards. 'There are no run-off zones and little room for correction. But the active suspension gives the new Cayenne enormous stability and precision. I felt completely confident at all times.' Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Apart from setting a new SUV record at Shelsley Walsh, the Cayenne Electric also crossed the first measuring point of the course (at 60 feet or 18.3 metres) in just 1.94 seconds – matching single-seat race cars on slick tyres – shod with conventional summer tyres.
According to the automaker, the new Porsche Active Ride chassis system keeps the body of the Cayenne Electric 'level at all times, even during dynamic braking, steering and acceleration processes, and ensures a perfect connection to the road through a balanced distribution of wheel loads'.
'Porsche Active Ride significantly expands the range between driving dynamics and ride comfort in the new Cayenne,' said the vice president of the Cayenne Product Line, Michael Schätzle. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
'Our customers have always appreciated the high utility value of the Cayenne. That's why we didn't want to make any compromises in the development of the all-electric model.
'Our customers will also have powerful and efficient combustion engine and hybrid models at their disposal well into the next decade, and we are continuing to develop the current model generation at great expense.
'However, we can only achieve the level of performance publicly demonstrated for the first time in England through the potential of electrification. The Cayenne Electric will set new standards – without compromising on everyday usability and practicality.'
Mr Schätzle added that final tuning of the Cayenne Electric is still in progress, but assures us that 'the drive power and equipment of the record-breaking car were already at production level'. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
For his part, after using the camouflaged Cayenne Electric to tow a classic car more than 100 years old and weighing more than two tonnes from his workshop in Hereford to his garage as part of a film shoot, Mr Hammond said: 'We were trailing significant weight behind us, but you wouldn't know it – the Cayenne handled it effortlessly.'
No firm technical detail are available for the Cayenne EV, but it's expected to match the performance of its V8-powered siblings by offering between 373kW (500hp) and 600kW.
That's because it will be based on an updated version of the same 800V Premium Platform Electric architecture as the Macan Electric, which offers up to 470kW in dual-motor Turbo form, and more than 500km of range in entry-level form.
The first Cayenne EV will be produced alongside the existing Cayenne at Porsche's manufacturing facility in Bratislava, Slovakia.
MORE: Explore the Porsche Cayenne showroom
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The following matte finishes are available: MORE: Explore the Hyundai Ioniq 9 showroom Content originally sourced from: Hyundai's most expensive vehicle yet in Australia is now on sale. The Hyundai Ioniq 9, a flagship three-row electric SUV, is coming here only in top-spec Calligraphy trim and wearing a price tag of $119,750 before on-road costs. The seven-seat EV is available now and the only options are digital exterior mirrors and a six-seat configuration. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Ioniq 9 is the first Hyundai vehicle in Australia with Digital Key 2.0, a smartphone-based key that can be used to lock, unlock and start the vehicle using near-field communication and ultra-wideband technology. This feature doesn't require a mobile network signal and, depending on the smartphone type, will continue to function even if a user's smartphone battery is flat. 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The Australian Government subsequently made key concessions to automakers ahead of introducing the legislation to parliament in March 2024, including changing how large off-roaders were categorised – something which Toyota had called for. Both Toyota and Mitsubishi are members of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which issued statements critical of NVES – something that saw Polestar and rival electric car brand Tesla quit the industry body. Mr Maynard recently said the brand is no closer to rejoining the FCAI, saying the industry body is less progressive than when Polestar left it in protest in March 2024. When asked by CarExpert if Polestar Australia could better effect change by being a member of the FCAI, Mr Maynard was blunt. "If I thought that the volume of vehicles that we sell – [Polestar] being a premium and relatively exclusive player – would give us a fair voice inside the FCAI, then perhaps that logic would run. "But I think it's still the case that the FCAI services those members that fund it, and I can understand why they would do that. They're a representative body of the manufacturers that sit inside it, and so no, I think I'd probably get sent out of the room." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first federal emission standard means for Aussie car buyers MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs MORE: Polestar won't rejoin Australia's top auto industry body Content originally sourced from: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard says the 'scaremongering' that took place ahead of the implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has failed. The NVES was introduced on January 1, 2025, and limits the overall carbon-dioxide emissions across a brand's lineup – with automakers facing financial penalties if they exceed the targets. Penalties came into effect on July 1, 2025, and fleet emissions targets will get more stringent every year until 2029. When asked if perhaps NVES could have been pitched better by the politicians who were publicly in favour of it, Mr Maynard was positive. "It turns out it didn't kill the weekend," the Polestar boss said. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. ABOVE: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard "We got it through, so I don't think I'm a good enough politician to say that they went about the wrong way. "I do think that there was perhaps some scaremongering whipped up from some of its opponents that did land a few blows, and some of the benefits of a market that responds to NVES legislation – like cleaner air and a move towards vehicles that that are cheaper to run – were perhaps lost in some of that messaging." Former opposition leader Peter Dutton had pledged to scrap the NVES – which he called a 'ute tax' – if the Coalition won last November's federal election (which it didn't). "We will abolish Labor's tax on family cars and utes. Saving you thousands when buying a new car," Mr Dutton posted on social media. "Labor's new car and ute tax will hit families and small businesses with thousands in extra costs." The Australian Government proposed three iterations of NVES – A, B and C options – in February 2024 for feedback from industry bodies and automakers. Of the three, the "fast but flexible" B proposal was the government's preferred option. Though it wasn't the most stringent of the three, the B proposal was criticised by some Australian car companies, with Toyota – the best-selling brand here since 2008 – saying it would force new vehicle prices up and hurt 'middle Australia'. Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing, said the company didn't have the model range available globally on hand to replace popular vehicles like the LandCruiser. Mr Hanley also said sales of smaller, lower-emission Toyota models would not be enough to offset fines from sales of larger vehicles. Similar objections were voiced by other car companies, such as Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott who also appealed to 'middle Australia'. "We do want a standard, we're not against a standard," Mr Westcott told CarExpert. "What we want is a standard that is practical and achievable against the pace of technology, aligned with what consumers want and what consumers can afford." The Australian Government subsequently made key concessions to automakers ahead of introducing the legislation to parliament in March 2024, including changing how large off-roaders were categorised – something which Toyota had called for. Both Toyota and Mitsubishi are members of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which issued statements critical of NVES – something that saw Polestar and rival electric car brand Tesla quit the industry body. Mr Maynard recently said the brand is no closer to rejoining the FCAI, saying the industry body is less progressive than when Polestar left it in protest in March 2024. When asked by CarExpert if Polestar Australia could better effect change by being a member of the FCAI, Mr Maynard was blunt. "If I thought that the volume of vehicles that we sell – [Polestar] being a premium and relatively exclusive player – would give us a fair voice inside the FCAI, then perhaps that logic would run. "But I think it's still the case that the FCAI services those members that fund it, and I can understand why they would do that. They're a representative body of the manufacturers that sit inside it, and so no, I think I'd probably get sent out of the room." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first federal emission standard means for Aussie car buyers MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs MORE: Polestar won't rejoin Australia's top auto industry body Content originally sourced from: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard says the 'scaremongering' that took place ahead of the implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has failed. The NVES was introduced on January 1, 2025, and limits the overall carbon-dioxide emissions across a brand's lineup – with automakers facing financial penalties if they exceed the targets. Penalties came into effect on July 1, 2025, and fleet emissions targets will get more stringent every year until 2029. When asked if perhaps NVES could have been pitched better by the politicians who were publicly in favour of it, Mr Maynard was positive. "It turns out it didn't kill the weekend," the Polestar boss said. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. ABOVE: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard "We got it through, so I don't think I'm a good enough politician to say that they went about the wrong way. "I do think that there was perhaps some scaremongering whipped up from some of its opponents that did land a few blows, and some of the benefits of a market that responds to NVES legislation – like cleaner air and a move towards vehicles that that are cheaper to run – were perhaps lost in some of that messaging." Former opposition leader Peter Dutton had pledged to scrap the NVES – which he called a 'ute tax' – if the Coalition won last November's federal election (which it didn't). "We will abolish Labor's tax on family cars and utes. Saving you thousands when buying a new car," Mr Dutton posted on social media. "Labor's new car and ute tax will hit families and small businesses with thousands in extra costs." The Australian Government proposed three iterations of NVES – A, B and C options – in February 2024 for feedback from industry bodies and automakers. Of the three, the "fast but flexible" B proposal was the government's preferred option. Though it wasn't the most stringent of the three, the B proposal was criticised by some Australian car companies, with Toyota – the best-selling brand here since 2008 – saying it would force new vehicle prices up and hurt 'middle Australia'. Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing, said the company didn't have the model range available globally on hand to replace popular vehicles like the LandCruiser. Mr Hanley also said sales of smaller, lower-emission Toyota models would not be enough to offset fines from sales of larger vehicles. Similar objections were voiced by other car companies, such as Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott who also appealed to 'middle Australia'. "We do want a standard, we're not against a standard," Mr Westcott told CarExpert. "What we want is a standard that is practical and achievable against the pace of technology, aligned with what consumers want and what consumers can afford." The Australian Government subsequently made key concessions to automakers ahead of introducing the legislation to parliament in March 2024, including changing how large off-roaders were categorised – something which Toyota had called for. Both Toyota and Mitsubishi are members of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which issued statements critical of NVES – something that saw Polestar and rival electric car brand Tesla quit the industry body. Mr Maynard recently said the brand is no closer to rejoining the FCAI, saying the industry body is less progressive than when Polestar left it in protest in March 2024. When asked by CarExpert if Polestar Australia could better effect change by being a member of the FCAI, Mr Maynard was blunt. "If I thought that the volume of vehicles that we sell – [Polestar] being a premium and relatively exclusive player – would give us a fair voice inside the FCAI, then perhaps that logic would run. "But I think it's still the case that the FCAI services those members that fund it, and I can understand why they would do that. They're a representative body of the manufacturers that sit inside it, and so no, I think I'd probably get sent out of the room." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first federal emission standard means for Aussie car buyers MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs MORE: Polestar won't rejoin Australia's top auto industry body Content originally sourced from: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard says the 'scaremongering' that took place ahead of the implementation of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has failed. The NVES was introduced on January 1, 2025, and limits the overall carbon-dioxide emissions across a brand's lineup – with automakers facing financial penalties if they exceed the targets. Penalties came into effect on July 1, 2025, and fleet emissions targets will get more stringent every year until 2029. When asked if perhaps NVES could have been pitched better by the politicians who were publicly in favour of it, Mr Maynard was positive. "It turns out it didn't kill the weekend," the Polestar boss said. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. ABOVE: Polestar Australia managing director Scott Maynard "We got it through, so I don't think I'm a good enough politician to say that they went about the wrong way. "I do think that there was perhaps some scaremongering whipped up from some of its opponents that did land a few blows, and some of the benefits of a market that responds to NVES legislation – like cleaner air and a move towards vehicles that that are cheaper to run – were perhaps lost in some of that messaging." Former opposition leader Peter Dutton had pledged to scrap the NVES – which he called a 'ute tax' – if the Coalition won last November's federal election (which it didn't). "We will abolish Labor's tax on family cars and utes. Saving you thousands when buying a new car," Mr Dutton posted on social media. "Labor's new car and ute tax will hit families and small businesses with thousands in extra costs." The Australian Government proposed three iterations of NVES – A, B and C options – in February 2024 for feedback from industry bodies and automakers. Of the three, the "fast but flexible" B proposal was the government's preferred option. Though it wasn't the most stringent of the three, the B proposal was criticised by some Australian car companies, with Toyota – the best-selling brand here since 2008 – saying it would force new vehicle prices up and hurt 'middle Australia'. Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing, said the company didn't have the model range available globally on hand to replace popular vehicles like the LandCruiser. Mr Hanley also said sales of smaller, lower-emission Toyota models would not be enough to offset fines from sales of larger vehicles. Similar objections were voiced by other car companies, such as Mitsubishi Australia CEO Shaun Westcott who also appealed to 'middle Australia'. "We do want a standard, we're not against a standard," Mr Westcott told CarExpert. "What we want is a standard that is practical and achievable against the pace of technology, aligned with what consumers want and what consumers can afford." The Australian Government subsequently made key concessions to automakers ahead of introducing the legislation to parliament in March 2024, including changing how large off-roaders were categorised – something which Toyota had called for. Both Toyota and Mitsubishi are members of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), which issued statements critical of NVES – something that saw Polestar and rival electric car brand Tesla quit the industry body. Mr Maynard recently said the brand is no closer to rejoining the FCAI, saying the industry body is less progressive than when Polestar left it in protest in March 2024. When asked by CarExpert if Polestar Australia could better effect change by being a member of the FCAI, Mr Maynard was blunt. "If I thought that the volume of vehicles that we sell – [Polestar] being a premium and relatively exclusive player – would give us a fair voice inside the FCAI, then perhaps that logic would run. "But I think it's still the case that the FCAI services those members that fund it, and I can understand why they would do that. They're a representative body of the manufacturers that sit inside it, and so no, I think I'd probably get sent out of the room." MORE: Everything Polestar MORE: What the first federal emission standard means for Aussie car buyers MORE: Mitsubishi boss slams federal emissions regulations, "naivety" around EVs MORE: Polestar won't rejoin Australia's top auto industry body Content originally sourced from:
Perth Now
6 hours ago
- Perth Now
2025 Renault Master price and specs
Renault's largest commercial van now has a smaller model lineup. The 2025 Renault Master range has been simplified to just medium- and long-wheelbase variants, with the previous Extra LWB option removed. Both MWB and LWB variants of the large delivery van are now offered exclusively in Pro trim, priced at $55,200 and $57,200 before on-road costs, respectively. Renault Australia is offering the MWB to ABN holders for $57,990 drive-away until September 30, 2025, and says it has 'good supply' of the Master. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert There's only one powertrain on offer: a 2.3-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine mated with a six-speed automated manual transmission. A manual transmission is no longer available. The Master isn't just Renault's biggest vehicle, it's also its biggest seller. To the end of June, Renault has delivered 1074 Master cargo vans in Australia this year, more than the mid-size Trafic van (516) and mid-size Koleos crossover SUV (424). The Master is currently outselling the Ford Transit (943), Peugeot Boxer (15) and Volkswagen Crafter (147), though it's outsold by the LDV Deliver 9 (1341) and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (2026). Renault doesn't publish fuel economy or CO2 emissions figures for the Master. The Renault Master is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Servicing is required every 12 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first. The first five services are capped at $599, with the exception of the four-year/120,000km service which costs $1259. Standard safety equipment includes: Blind-spot monitoring Lane departure warning Front, front-side airbags Reversing camera Rear parking sensors Supplied Credit: CarExpert Standard equipment includes: Automatic halogen headlights LED daytime running lights Rain-sensing wipers 16-inch steel wheels Spare wheel Cruise control Speed limiter Unglazed left sliding door Glazed rear barn doors Glazed steel bulkhead 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Driver's seat with height, reach and lumbar adjustment Driver's armrest Two-passenger bench seat Air-conditioning Cloth upholstery Overhead storage shelf 6 x cupholders Height-adjustable steering column Options include: Glazed left and right sliding doors Right sliding door Trade pack Business pack The Master is available in the following exterior paint finishes: Mineral White Urban Grey Star Grey Pearlescent Black Tempest Blue MORE: Explore the Renault Master showroom
